The EDC, a regional organization that looks at economic issues and fosters business growth, bases the assertion on a review of MGM Springfield’s proposed host community agreement with the city and a belief that the agreement could provide an economic boost to the region.

But Allan W. Blair, president and CEO of the Economic Development Council said the MGM proposal, including the host community agreement, still needs a thorough vetting from the state Gaming Commission. A “yes” vote July 16 will allow that state review to continue, he said. The EDC organized a meeting last week between local businesses and MGM and Blair predicts future meetings with the other bidders.

“It’s not really an endorsement per se,” said Blair said. “It’s certainly not an exclusive endorsement. It is not an endorsement of MGM and it doesn’t compare them with the other two proposals.”

While MGM is proposing a casino on the South End, Hard Rock International has proposed a casino for the Eastern States Exposition Grounds in West Springfield and the Mohegan Tribal Gaming Authority is proposing to build a casino in Palmer.

All three proposals are before the gaming commission. But only MGM and Springfield have signed a host community agreement and only Springfield has set a date for a referendum.

Blair said the EDC will review the other agreements as they become public and may issue statements following those reviews.

The agreement between the city and MGM requires annual payments to the city of Springfield in excess of $25 million, of which $17.6 million will be property tax payments. The casino also promises to spend $50 million a year, about half its annual budget for goods and services, with local suppliers and contractors. The agreement also calls for about 2,000 construction jobs and 3,000 permanent jobs of which 2,200 will be full time. MGM also promises payments to the city to mitigate negative impacts from its casino.

“We felt a proposal of this magnitude required us to express an opinion,” Blair said.

But casino opponent Scott Harshbarger, a former state attorney general, said casinos are really a regressive tax on those who can least afford it. Long-term economic growth needs projects like transportation improvements. Harshbarger cited the need for better connections from Boston to New Bedford and from Worcester to Springfield.

“Casinos come in when there is a vacuum and do not attract long-term economic development,” Harshbarger said at a meeting of casino opponents in Springfield last week.

Blair said he has questions, particularly about the promise of $50 million spent with local businesses. He fears that small companies in greater Springfield won’t be able to bid because they won’t be able to get the approvals of the state Gaming Commission. Blair said he wants to learn more about the Gaming Commission process.

The MGM project has also been endorsed by the city police and firefighters unions as well as citizens’ councils in the South End, Old Hill, Indian Orchard, Maple High Six Corners as well as the Puerto Rican Cultural Center, National Association of Minority Contractors, Rebuilding Together and the Stone Soul Festival.